What is the difference between Debian and Ubuntu?
Debian and Ubuntu are two distinct distributions of the Linux operating system, with several differences between them.
- Distribution Method: Debian is a free and open-source community project developed and maintained by volunteers. Ubuntu is a derivative based on Debian and sponsored and supported by Canonical Ltd. Therefore, Ubuntu is considered to be more commercialized compared to Debian.
- Target audience: Debian is designed for technical experts and Linux enthusiasts who prioritize system stability and security. Ubuntu, on the other hand, is tailored for regular users, with a focus on providing a more user-friendly and easily accessible interface and tools.
- Release cycles: Debian has a relatively long release cycle, typically releasing a new version every 2-3 years. In contrast, Ubuntu follows a fixed biannual release cycle, with new versions being released every April and October, such as Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 20.10.
- Default software package selection: There is a slight difference in default software package selection between Debian and Ubuntu. Ubuntu focuses more on user-friendliness and ease of use, including some commonly used applications and drivers by default during installation. Debian, on the other hand, places more emphasis on the principles of free software, adhering to the GNU Free Software Guidelines and strictly following free software licenses.
- Packaging and software support: Debian’s software packages are maintained and packaged by volunteers using the deb package management system. Since Ubuntu is based on Debian, it can directly use Debian’s software packages and also provides additional Ubuntu software package repositories. In addition, Ubuntu offers more commercial software support and proprietary driver support.
In general, Debian prioritizes system stability and free software principles, making it suitable for technical experts and Linux enthusiasts; whereas Ubuntu focuses more on user-friendliness and ease of use, making it suitable for regular users and desktop users.
